SAN JOSE, Calif. — Sunbury Press has released Marie Sontag’s middle-grade historical novel The Bronze Dagger, the first volume in the Ancient Elements series.

About the Book:

Samsaluna, a physically handicapped boy on the verge of adolescence, leaves his broken and abusive home in the foothills of the Zagros Mountains in an attempt to find his uncle in the city of Susa, near ancient Babylon. Befriending a young baker’s son and an asu’s daughter, Sam soon finds himself on a journey to the lively city of Babylon. By becoming a healer’s apprentice, Sam not only learns a valued and respected skill—increasing his prospects and status—but also endears himself to the great asu, earning himself a second chance at being part of a family. But when Sam’s past won’t stay behind him and his well-intentioned lies come to light, he risks losing it all. Brokenhearted that he has brought about his own downfall and has been abandoned by his new friends, Sam is forced to come to terms with his deceptions. His newfound understanding of justice, according to the code set forth by the great ruler Hammurabi, and the unyielding compassion shown to him by the asu must come into play before Sam can defeat the demons of his past, right his wrongs, and establish himself as the worthy apprentice and son he always hoped to be. Surrounded by the changing times in ancient Mesopotamia, Sam learns to cope with the past and thrive in the present in this coming-of-age middle grade story.

About the Author:

Marie Sontag holds a PhD in Education, an MA in Instructional Technology, and a BA in Social Science. Having taught adults, high school and middle school students for over 15 years, Dr. Sontag knows how to capture and hold her students’ and readers’ attention.

“Bringing the Past to Life” epitomizes the writing career of Dr. Dr. Sontag. Ancient Elements is her first fiction book series, starting with Book One, The Bronze Dagger. This middle grade fiction novel tells the story of 12-year-old Samsuluna (Sam), a young boy in Mesopotamia during the reign of Hammurabi in 1780 BC. The lies that Sam spins about the stolen jewels and the death of his father threaten to catch up with him. Will he ever learn how to trust his new friends, overcome his quest for revenge, or solve the mystery of the stolen jewels?

The Bronze Dagger is an especially good read for 6th graders who study Ancient Civilizations, including Ancient Mesopotamia. Dr. Sontag shares in classrooms and assemblies about The Bronze Dagger accompanied by her authenticated artifact, a 3,000 year-old dagger that came from Sam’s home area, the Zagros Mountains in present-day Iran. For more information, check her webpage at http://www.mariesontag.com or http://www.thebronzedagger.com.
Dr. Sontag’s second historical fiction series, Warsaw’s Hope, will soon release Book One of that series,A Rising Hope, also published by Sunbury Press. This young adult novel tells the story of six teens who, through loss, find hope as they fight against the Germans when their Scout troops join forces with the Underground Army during the 1944 Warsaw Rising.

Although not an historical fiction novel, Dr. Sontag’s first book, When Love Is Not Perfect, still fits under the umbrella of her tagline, “Bringing the Past to Life”. When Love Is Not Perfect is a nonfiction book written to help those suffering from the wounds of abuse. Through narratives of interviews with abuse survivors, psychiatrists and psychologists, and research on abuse recovery, the book helps readers discover a reparenting process that can help them heal from the damaging effects of abuse as they gain an understanding of the the loving nature of God. Written from a survivor’s viewpoint, this book covers the emotional, social, and psychological aspects of recovery, as well as the spiritual dimension. Although now out of print, it is still available through Amazon.com. For a short time, all 12 chapters will be available for free in audio form. Donations gladly accepted. To listen or download the audio files, register at Podiobooks. (free site at http://podiobooks.com/title/when-love-is-not-perfect/).

What Others Are Saying:

Dr. Sontag captures the Ancient Mesopotamia culture in a captivating tale of a young boy’s survival. Armed with his lucky dagger, Sam sets out on an adventure where he encounters numerous challenges and foibles leading him to a lesson in forgiveness. A great read! — Dr. Donna Lewis, Educator: Assistant Superintendent

A terrific book for kids who like adventure, and for parents who’d love their kids to learn a bit about history. Well-written, a lively main character who struggles with his failures and searches for hope.Here is a hero who is flawed but resourceful, and who can lead readers on an adventure involving bad guys, jewels, new friends, and making choices. A real winner! — Karen Llewellyn., home-schooling mom

The book pulls you into history through well-written narrative. By the end of the tale you come away with not only an interest in the characters and storyline, but more knowledge about the time of the Babylonians. — Rick Crawford, former principal and author of Stink Bomb, and Ricky Robinson Braveheart

Winter of the Metal People

Despite the fact that so many public buildings, parks, and monuments throughout what is today America’s Southwest bear the name “Coronado,” Francisco Vásquez de Coronado’s 1540 expedition into that area was anything but successful. Searching for the fabled Seven Cities of Gold as far east as modern-day Kansas, Coronado’s expedition of Spanish conquistadores and their Aztec allies ran into the Puebloan tribes. Although the Spanish government had policies demanding the humane treatment of Indians throughout New Spain, Coronado’s foundering expedition treated the Puebloans ruthlessly in order to obtain food, clothing, and shelter. As a result, Coronado’s men became embroiled in a two-year-long war that eventually ended with the Spanish withdrawal back into Mexico; it would be almost fifty years before they returned.

Herrick fully enters the minds of his historical Spanish and Puebloan characters, showing the cultural and religious differences between the two cultures that would inevitably lead to the first Indian war. There is a saying that history belongs to the victors, so while much of the Spanish story is based upon historical written documents, the author had to imagine the Puebloans’ story. But his research is well founded, and what results is a balanced novel that expresses the worldviews of both sides and relates it in an exciting and interesting manner. This novel is highly recommended for those interested in the history of the American southwest and its native peoples.

About the Book:The Bear is a beautifully illustrated tale about a hungry black bear looking for some food, from the bear’s perspective….

About the Author:
Being an Illustrator of children’s books was Wendy Latty’s “impossible” dream. The book you are looking at is the continuation of the hope that was not disappointed. After graduating with Art Honors from high school, Wendy moved to Philadelphia and received her Associates Degree in Visual Communications with a specialization in Illustration. She currently lives in Harrisburg Pennsylvania with her husband two daughters and the family sidekick Sancha the cat.

Call Sign Dracula provides an outstanding, valuable and worthy in-depth look into the life of a US Army Infantry soldier serving with the famed 1st Infantry Division (The Big Red One) in Vietnam. It is a genuine, firsthand account of a one-year tour that shows how a soldier grew and matured from an awkward, bewildered, inexperienced, eighteen year-old country “bumpkin” from Kentucky, to a tough, battle hardened, fighting soldier.

You will laugh, cry and stand in awe at the true life experiences shared in this memoir. The awfulness of battle, fear beyond description, the sorrow and anguish of losing friends, extreme weariness, the dealing with the scalding sun, torrential rain, cold, heat, humidity, insects and the daily effort just to maintain sanity were struggles faced virtually every day. And yet, there were the good times. There was the coming together to laugh, joke, and share stories from home. There was the warmth and compassion shown by men to each other in such an unreal environment. You will see where color, race or where you were from had no bearing on the tight-knit group of young men that was formed from the necessity to survive. What a “bunch” they were!

… then the return to home and all the adjustments and struggles to once again fit into a world that was now strange and uncomfortable.

Call Sign Dracula is an excellent and genuine memoir of an infantry soldier in the Vietnam War.

About the Author:

Joseph (Joe) Edmon Fair Jr. was born on September 4, 1950 in Greenwood, Indiana. His parents had moved from a farming area of South Central Kentucky to the Indianapolis area looking for work. At nine months old the family moved to Louisville, KY. Joe attended Brandeis Elementary School and Parkland Junior High School.

At age 12 the family moved back to Adair County, KY where his father once again farmed. He graduated from Adair County High School in May 1968 and entered the US Army in September 1968. Joe served a tour of duty in Vietnam from April 1969 to March 1970 and returned to the US at Fort Meade, Maryland. He married Regnia Gabehart on July 18, 1970. He left the US Army in June 1971.

Joe joined the Ingersoll Rand Company in September 1971 and remained with the company until May 2011. He was the Human Resources Manager his last 16 years. He had two careers going simultaneously as he joined the Kentucky Army National Guard in October 1974 serving with Bravo Battery and the Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 623rd Field Artillery and remained with the guard until he retired as a First Sergeant E-8 in May 1997. He served in Desert Shield and Desert Storm during the Gulf War from December 1990 to April 1991 with the guard unit.

Joe and Regnia have three children and seven grandchildren. His retirement time is spent enjoying his family (chasing grandchildren), researching and writing about his time in Vietnam, contacting fellow Vietnam soldiers and staying in contact with soldiers he served with in the Kentucky Army National Guard. He also enjoys playing rhythm guitar and singing in a music group called “Ruff-Cut.”

What Others Are Saying:

“As editor, you must make your own decision, of course. As a professional novelist and non-fiction writer for over thirty years (Doubleday, St. Martin’s Press, et. al.) I found a straightforward clarity and heart in Joe Fair’s account of his war that hooked me and kept me reading straight through to the end. If I were writing a war novel and wanted to include excerpts from a soldier’s diary, I would hope to write it exactly as Joe wrote this memoir. It has the authentic ring of truth—something no amount of polished “professional” writing could hope to improve on.” — Steven Spruill

“Joe Fair’s narrative about his year in Vietnam is well written. He tells it as it was with no embellishments. In reading it I could picture myself back in Vietnam and what some of my own experiences were. I served with headquarters company of the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry which is the sister battalion to the one Joe writes about. It is only the second book written that shares a personal experience serving with the 1st Battalion, 2nd Infantry, 1st Infantry Division in Vietnam. As the historian for the 2nd Infantry Association, I can attest that Joe’s narrative is a wonderful addition to the long and glorious history of the 2nd Infantry Regiment and is well worth reading. He scored a winner with his story!” — Lawrence R. Grzywinski, Historian, 2nd Infantry Regiment Association, HHC 2/2, RVN 66-67

“Joe Fair’s memoir of his service as an infantryman in Vietnam with the Big Red One is a compelling, authentic, straight forward and gritty account of a year (1969) of that war. Only 18 when he arrived and joined the “Black Scarves” of Company A, 1st Battalion, 2d Infantry, Joe recounts his evolution from a scared newbie to a seasoned soldier and squad leader. The many contacts and casualties are grim reminders that 1969 (well after the Tet Offensive of January, 1968, and the shift to pacification and Vietnamization) was America’s deadliest year of the war. Three things stand out in this frank and balanced account – Joe’s high regard for the men with whom he served; their tremendous competence and dedication to soldiering; and the deep loss they felt as buddies left the battlefield among the dead and wounded. Joe Fair was a modest but excellent soldier, one of thousands who served in Vietnam, and this is an excellent read.” — Paul H. Herbert, Ph.D., Colonel, US Army (Retired), Executive Director, First Division Museum at Cantigny

Call Sign Dracula: My Tour with the Black Scarves April 1969 to March 1970

QUEENS, N.Y. — Sunbury Press has released Joe Farrell’s humerous memoir Jesus Runs Away … and other stories of attending Catholic schools in the early 60s.

About the Book:

A smorgasbord of entertainment and lessons awaits readers as author Joe Farrell releases through Sunbury Press a unique memoir. Jesus Runs Away chronicles his journey as a student who enjoys a carefree life amid schools of rigid discipline and stern religious training. In the early sixties, being in a Catholic school means being compelled to always abide by the rules: pray earnestly when told to do so, study the lessons to answer questions correctly, a “yes” or “no” answer should always be followed by “Sister”, and never ever do anything that would upset or make the teachers mad. Through vivid narration, Jesus Runs Away unveils the funny side that lurks behind the austere façade of Catholic Schools. It follows the author as he finds himself caught up in different mischief during grade school and to even more grave misbehaviors—including a police arrest—during high school and college. A baby boomer, Farrell’s life is one that is carved by the tumult of the fifties and sixties and the social and personal dramas that come along with it. His is an interesting wave of colors brightened by adventure, discipline, lessons learned, friendship, and love. Providing a good glimpse into the life of pure Catholic training, Jesus Runs Away is a witty revelation of a schoolboy’s shenanigans and the ultimate inspiration one can get from them. This memoir of growing up in the 60’s is full of Farrell’s wit, humor, and irreverence yet it’s a touching and poignant story. A fun and enjoyable read.

About the Author:

Many of the nuns, brothers, priests and lay teachers who dealt with Joe Farrell during his sixteen years of Catholic schools forecasted failure for him in this life and in the next. So, when they heard he was in a maximum security prison they weren’t surprised. The part that surprised them was that is was as a staff psychologist and not an inmate. It probably would have amazed them to discover that he had a very long and successful career in government and in two Fortune 500 companies as a high level manager and advocate for consumers and citizens. They would probably be stunned to hear he presently is Executive Director of the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of PA.

Along the way, he raised two children who were excellent students. His son is an intellectual property attorney and his daughter, after over a decade of teaching, is an elementary school principal.

His success in the next life is yet to be determined…

Jesus Runs Away: … and other stories of attending Catholic schools in the early 60s

PHILADELPHIA — Sunbury Press has released Guy Graybill’s history of Italian music “BRAVO!”

About the Book:
The Italians were so busy creating and performing superb music that they neglected to tell the great epic story of their wondrous achievement. With BRAVO! we hope to tell that story. The 1,000-year-old story begins, basically, with the work of a humble monk from the city of Arezzo. And this story has no ending. If on one hand we will never know the music of the Egyptians, of the Greeks, and of the Romans, we have come know the music of every composer from the 12th Century to the present day, thanks to Guido s invention of the musical scale. As the story unfolds, we are rewarded with the many convincing superlatives forever tied to Italian musical endeavors. The first ten chapters deal with the Italian musical geniuses who theorized, made superb instruments, composed, performed, orchestrated, conducted and sang for the enjoyment of listeners worldwide. The closing chapter gives a comprehensive look at the beautiful things that have happened in the Italian and American world of music. Each page of BRAVO! is full of surprising and fascinating details, and the title reminds us that the term, BRAVO!, is reserved only for topnotch performances.

DENVER — Sunbury Press has released R. C. Reynolds’ western novel “Return to Red Lodge,” about a young Texas Ranger who seeks to avenge the murder of his parents.

About the Book:
Rick Morgan had witnessed the horrific murders of his mother and father by a band of hooded riders when he was fifteen years old. He escaped from the killers and fled south to Arizona, where he eventually became a very noted and respected Texas Ranger. However, the memories of that day were never very far away. The day after his 25th birthday, he decided it was time to head back to Montana and square accounts with the masked riders who had destroyed life as he had known and loved it. He was respected as a Ranger who was tough, but also for being fair and impartial–a man who followed the letter of the law. Every man was considered innocent until proven otherwise. He never let his emotions overrun his actions and he knew well this was one of the most important things that separated him from the men he hunted. But … the closer he got to Red Lodge and the reopening of the old wounds he had run from ten years ago, the more he felt a fiery rebirth of the old rage he had tried to suppress. The strength of this strange, new darkness frightened and confused him and he quickly became aware of a battle which was forming deep within him that was every bit as dangerous as the battle he faced with his parents’ murderers. He quickly realized that this time, in his quest for justice, he might very well be destroying himself.

About the Author:

R.C. Reynolds was raised in northern Wisconsin and moved to Colorado after college. He has worked as a ski instructor, hunting and fishing guide, outdoor writer and a high school and college Language Arts teacher. He has had several articles, essays and short stories placed in state and national magazines and has had three novels published.

Reynolds has lived in the Rocky Mountains for thirty-five years and has spent some of the best hours of his life hunting, fishing and wandering in their unique splendor. He has also worked on cattle ranches from Colorado to Montana and has had the opportunity to have known and worked with some of the few remaining individuals who still light up the modern day camp fires with the same strength, wisdom, values and free spirit as their half-tamed nineteenth century counterparts—and still deserve to bear the name “Cowboy.”